FOCUS: ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY NEWS

Fountain Valley

The annual Mayor's Ball is just another example of what makes the city special, Mayor John Collins said: "I don't know of any other city that has a mayor's ball." This year's event will take place Saturday night at the Waterfront Hilton Beach Resort Hotel in Huntington Beach. The Chamber of Commerce started the ball two decades ago to honor the City Council. Over the years, the event grew to include legislators, school board members and a bigger slice of the Fountain Valley community--so much so that it pushed the event out of the city. The chamber now holds the ball in other cities, said Ruby Yap, co-chair of the Mayor's Ball Committee, because there isn't a facility in Fountain Valley big enough to hold the event, which draws about 300 guests. "It's like prom night," Yap said. "People attend to see and be seen. It's the envy of neighboring cities because it's such an elegant affair."

The ball begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. Dancing begins after dinner to the music of the band Nightwatch. Tickets can be purchased for $75 at the door or in advance by calling the Chamber of Commerce at (714) 668-0542.